Competition in the French retail scene could be about to heat up, with market leader Carrefour reporting an improvement in its domestic operations. Carrefour says it has been encouraged by the results of its pricing initiative and, if the world's second largest retailer really has pulled its socks up at home, life could become tougher for its competitors.

United Biscuits is set for a new owner - Turkey's Yildiz Holding. The UK-based snacks maker announced this week brands including McVitie's and BN would join Godiva chocolate in the Yildiz portfolio. The M&A spotlight was firmly on the UK last week, with German giant Müller striking a deal to buy Dairy Crest's liquid milk assets - competition approval pending.

Tesco announced a revamp of its promotional strategy in the UK last week, a move that was immediately criticised by its rivals. However, grocers in Scotland were united in their opposition to a tax on major retailers in the country.

Intermarché is looking to increase the turnover of its production arm by almost 40% over the next five years, the French group announced at the MDD Expo retailer brand exhibition currently taking place in Paris.

Norwegian seafood group Marine Harvest has unveiled plans to invest EUR11m in a new 8,000 sqm processing and packing plant for salmon and white fish located at the French Channel port of Boulogne-sur-Mer.